Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

As someone who grew up watching various family vloggers to fill the void my own imperfect family left, I needed to read this book to support Shari Franke and also to unpack what my child self had created these families (including the Frankes) to be. This book is a beacon of hope, a story of strength and resilience. There are a few important messages Shari Franke highlights:

1. Children don’t belong on social media.

2. Our fascination with true crime stories has to stop. We need to stop instrumentalizing victims� pain for a few shocking images or a quick dose of: "Oh my lord, these poor souls." We must stop giving power to the evil and return it to those who have been beaten down.

3. This book was beautifully written. Shari Franke had something to say, and her team made sure her voice was heard.

What I found particularly striking in Shari’s story is how, despite her deep connection to the LDS faith, she was able to critically reflect on some of its shortcomings. Not everyone has the ability or opportunity to question their upbringing in such a profound way, and this really highlights some of the challenges of raising children within a highly demanding religion. In many cases, children raised in such environments can struggle to develop independent opinions, often prioritizing obedience over self-expression. It made me reflect on how much influence a faith like the LDS religion can have on shaping one’s worldview and decisions. Ruby and Jodi, like all of us, are products of their upbringing.

I am hopeful that this book will satisfy people's hunger for answers in this case, and that we can now truly let the family heal in peace. I also hope it opens the eyes of family vloggers who are exploiting their kids on a daily basis. It needs to stop.